NY AG: Cigar distributor skipped paying taxes

Authorities said Aamir Sulaiman's company, Brooklyn-based Delta Distribution Services Corp., brought in millions of cigars from Pennsylvania and re-sold them in New York without paying all the taxes he owed.

An indictment was unsealed Tuesday against a Staten Island man who was accused of not paying more than $6.1 million in state taxes for cigars his distribution company brought into New York state.

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced an indictment against Aamir Sulaiman, who faces charges including criminal tax fraud and falsifying business records.

Authorities said Mr. Sulaiman's company, Brooklyn-based Delta Distribution Services Corp., brought in millions of cigars from Pennsylvania and re-sold them in New York without paying all the taxes he owed. Authorities said between March and November 2013, Mr. Sulaiman only paid about $100,000 in taxes when he owed millions.

"Operations like these undermine law-abiding mom-and-pop shops and other businesses in New York by putting them at a competitive disadvantage, not to mention damaging our public health efforts to discourage smoking," Mr. Schneiderman said in announcing the indictment.

The 45-year-old Mr. Sulaiman faces up to 25 years in prison. A call to his attorney seeking comment was not immediately returned.